Nurse's viral note is the body-positive reminder we all need

Stepping on the scale can be stressful for anyone — but doing so in front of your family doctor can be even more anxiety-inducing. We all know the number on the scale does not directly reflect your health, but in the moment, it can be difficult to remember that.

That is why Mariah Kaitlyn Herrera shared a photo from her doctor’s office after her first appointment since the birth of her son. The photo featured a sticky note posted beside the scale, reminding readers that their value goes far beyond whatever number comes up.

“This scale will only tell you the numerical value of your gravitational pull. It will not tell you how beautiful you are, how much your friends and family love you, or how amazing you are!”

After giving birth, Herrera admitted one of her biggest concerns was weight gain.

“I was terrified to go to the doctor’s in the first place because I knew they were going to weigh me, and I hated being weighed even before I was pregnant,” she told Scary Mommy.

Herrera’s post acted as a universal reminder that while health is important, the number on the scale doesn’t reflect your value. While body positivity is an issue regardless of age and gender, Herrera felt a deeper connection to the note as a woman in the age of social media.

“I really don’t think the nurse realized what kind of impact she had on me worrying about my weight, which is something I’ve done since before I got pregnant, but it’s been even worse since I had my baby and all during pregnancy. But it’s important to remember that weight doesn’t matter as long as you’re working on yourself,” she said.

Herrera admitted she has received several personal messages from women thanking her for sharing her experience at the doctor’s office, making a stressful situation a bit less daunting.

“I’ve had so many people reach out to me thanking me for inspiring them, which is funny to me because I’ve never thought myself as an inspirational person. But every time someone asks me about that post or asks me how I feel, I tell them I’m learning to love myself. I honestly think it’s just helping me love myself more,” said the mom of one.

“I think as women we need to lift each other up a little more instead of tearing each other down.”